WILTON — Voters chose Republican Thomas Saviello of Wilton for the Senate District 18 seat over Democratic challenger Ann Woloson of Belgrade on Tuesday by nearly a 2-1 ratio.

Saviello garnered 11,115 votes over Woloson’s 6,666 votes.

The seat was formerly held by Sen. Walter Gooley, R-Farmington, who retired this year.

District 18 covers 26 towns in Franklin, Somerset and Kennebec counties.

“Right now I’m exhausted,” Saviello said Wednesday after about six hours of sleep within the last 72 hours. “But I’m truly honored and humbled. I’m honored by the fact that the district wants me to represent them and I’m humbled by the magnitude of the vote.”

Known for his presence at a variety of gatherings and town meetings throughout the towns he represents in House District 90, Saviello had already found his way to his new Senate district towns of Fayette and Wayne on Wednesday after attending a rally in Augusta.

“People up here know who I am. I’m there trying to get to know who they are,” he said.

A father of two grown children, Saviello feels some changes need to be made that will allow young people to stay and/or return to Maine.

Woloson said she’s hopeful Saviello will serve the district well. He has a lot of experience, she said.

“I’m not against him. I campaigned to try to do what people are looking for,” she said Wednesday.

After knocking on numerous doors throughout the district, she said people want to see lawmakers work together and move forward.

Although she acknowledged that today she’s “as good as a candidate can be in this climate,” she said “never say never” when asked if she’d pursue a legislative seat again. “I hope to run again,” she said. 

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